Looking at the gorgeous lady before them, Ethan couldn't help but wonder if there is any mix up somewhere. He knew Desmond very well that he would never have married such a wife for Davis because the lady before them is way more better than Vera.
"Young lady, are you looking for someone?" He asked cautiously, he didn't want to offend any family's daughter at the moment but then he knew most daughters of the influential families in country A but this person , this face—never seen her anywhere.
Seeing their confusion, Jessica wasn't surprised. After she left the Brown family, she had instructed the driver and butler to take her to the stylist to make her hair. At first they had objected but then she convinced them it wouldn't be long and she ought to look good for her marriage which is a once in a lifetime event.
After the makeup and styling, the butler and driver were left stunned. She had transformed from a simple naive girl to an elegant lady, her poise and grace unrivaled. She can bet the Brown family will believe she is a replacement if she appears before them this way but then it no longer matters because from this time on she can only wield the title —Mrs. Davis Allen.
Stretching out her hand to Ethan who is standing closer "I am Jessica Brown." Ethan accepted the brief handshake.
"Ethan Smith and he is Jeffrey", he clipped.
"My family agreed to marry their eldest daughter to your family and so here I am." She said nonchalantly as though she was discussing the weather and not her marriage.
A flash of surprise crossed the faces of the men, Ethan shakes his head in disbelief as he sized her up. "Are you the one to marry Davis Allen?" He asked his tone unbelieving. "Sure", she clipped with an indifferent face.
Ethan slowly let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding. "Maybe God wants to console his boss", he thought. He immediately ushered her to the nearest seat.
Jessica sat down unbothered. Her expression calm and serene as though she came for a business meeting. Ethan and Jeffrey were dumbstruck at the turn of events. Jeffrey sighed briefly as he regained his composure himself and immediately brought out the marriage registration documents Davis had previously signed and presented same to Jessica. She accepted the document and hurriedly scanned through it not seeing any problem, she nodded and held it back to the lawyer.
Ethan and Jeffrey looked at each other, they expected her to indent her signature beside Davis's signature. "You're to sign in the blank spaces", Jeffrey said.
"I know I have to but when I see the groom", she stated calmly and returned her attention to the phone.
Their expressions changed at her response as they glanced at each other; their fear palpable. Davis situation after the accident had become more complex; Ethan managed to convince him to agree to the marriage so that Desmond will not have to trouble him further not that he agreed or had even planned on honouring the marriage for anything but to think that the bride will insist on seeing him before signing never came to his thought.
Staring at the lady before them Ethan felt his heart race in trepidation. "This lady isn't unassuming as Desmond thought, she might even be more complicated then Davis when he was the CEO." He muttered to himself but the problem now is how will he convince his stubborn lord to make an appearance?
Jeffrey also looked at him for help. For the fifteen years of his service to the Allen family this is the first time he was stumped and couldn't argue. She is right—it takes two to tango.
Ethan sighed deeply "Miss Brown, I think it is better to sign the papers and after you can meet with Davis to discuss your marriage.", he advised tentatively.
Jessica smiled briefly. "I am sorry, maybe you take me to my room and then we sign the papers when he is ready— I can't marry him in absentia and I think I deserve this simple courtesy", she calmly stated as she stood up.
Ethan felt his head ache. It's been difficult dealing with Davis and now another Miss Brown. Who made him Davis assistant. So, he must find a solution to the problem. "Oh! My poor life as an assistant", he muttered to himself.
Jessica in the course of investigating the Allen family had discovered that Davis had always avoided contact with others aside Ethan since he woke up from coma which isn't good but if her plans must work out — he has to be in contact with the outside world.
Leveraging this signing, she must draw him out. "Can you take me or do I call the butler?", she asked with a gaze that dares him to object yet tinged with amusement as his flustered expression reminds her of Richard.
"Or is he in this house presently, then we might go over to where he is then I sign", she asked her brow raised.
Jeffrey felt he has been granted amnesty and hurriedly nodded before Ethan could object. Nobody knew how grumpy and irritable Davis had become since his accident except him and the residents of this mansion. Seeing Jeffrey trying to get ahead Ethan hurriedly stopped him. "I will go in and talk to him first", he said as he walked towards the staircase before Jessica's voice halted him in his track.
"Ethan, take me to him", She stated calmly. For the first time Ethan felt fear for the young lady but before he could air his thought Jessica is already a step ahead of him. With no option left, he hurriedly followed her and lead her to the study.
She tapped gently on the door and Davis voice filtered through, his tone laced with anger "Ethan, I said don't disturb me", he thundered. Jessica pushed the door open and gently clicked it shut "What is it?" He asked thinking it was Ethan who had returned.
The study was dimly lit, several empty bottles of hot drinks littered across the floor, the air stale with smoke.
Jessica stood frozen in shock, her sharp gaze fixated at the back of the man sitting on the wheelchair with his shoulders sagged in isolation, his hand resting on his forehead as he slouched forward, his overgrown hair fell loosely partially hiding his face. His composure a stark contrast to the man he was.
When the silence continued he became frantic, "If you don't have anything to do now get out", he thundered as he pushed the plates on the desk to the ground and it's clatter echoed through the building yanking Jessica back to reality.